Wolves of The Barren Hollows 🐦‍⬛ Lore & Rules

1. Monochrome Dark genetics only.
2. The pack must stay completely private. No using outside studs whatsoever.
3. Any wolves I want to breed must be paired up with a Gen 1 wolf or NBW.
   • Exception: I may pair an offspring wolf with a non-NBW wolf if it is for a purely lore based reason. But, those pups will never be deemed fit to rule over the pack. Other than that, there are no other exceptions to this rule.
   • Note: I may make a wolf in the Wolf Customiser in Grove if I cannot find a suitable mate and if I have enough GC.
4. All wolves must have some sort of raven/crow companion or theme. However, only the ruling pair may have the Lunar variant of the Raven and Crow.
5. Undesired pups are not to be protected and have a low priority when it comes to being fed.
6. All wolves must earn their keep. If they do not have a role then they will have a low priority when it comes to being fed.
7. Sick wolves cannot be quarantined. If it spreads, it spreads. And if a wolf is not treated in time they will most likely die.
8. If a wolf hits 0HP they are considered dead and must be removed from the pack's cave.
   • Exception: If the wolf is a ruler, they may be given 1 healing salve. If they hit 0HP a second time after this, they are considered dead. If the bloodline ruler dies, the lunar raven will select a new bloodline ruler. Otherwise, the lunar crow will leave to find another mate provided no other wolves demand a change in leadership.
9. All wolves within the Barren Hollows Pack must have either an Aggressive or Stoic personality type. Friendly and Romantic wolves will be tolerated but they are more likely to be chased off if they instigate too many fights or arguments. That chance is even higher if they argue or fight with either of the ruling pair.

This region is commonly called The Shrouded Valley.
Thank you Wes(#146298) for helping me make this expanded map!
Wolvden's normal Exploration Map is to the east of this region.

Thank you Wes(#146298) for helping me make this expanded map!
This includes both the Shrouded Valley Region and the Wolvden Exploration Map.

Current Rulers
Queen Melloria	It's a wonder how Melloria survived this long but she was one of the wolves that originally called the Barren Hollows their home back when it was thriving. Before a few overzealous wolves got the idea to burn the place down thanks to a devious outsider. Now, Melloria rules over the land with an iron fist. Striking fear into the hearts of the individuals that get to catch a rare glimpse of her and her raven companion, Josmael. Known Titles: The Matron & Queen of Ravens
King Jasper	Resembling the scorched trees of the local area, no one is quite certain where Jasper came from. He just mysteriously showed up one day after Melloria sent her Crow out to scout for any wolves in the barren landscape only to return with this confused wolf at dusk. In the present day, Jasper rules happily and faithfully at Melloria's side while he keeps a watchful eye on the pack since Melloria is far too busy to handle the constant chore that is keeping the younger wolves in line.
Code & Lore by #86206

Notable Characters
Josmael (Yos-myel)	Josmael, whose name means "The Forward Runner", is a Lunar Raven who has seemingly been around since wolves started living in these lands. Including the land to the east, past the mountain range that the wolves of the Barren Hollows closely watch. He is also well known for making deals with wolves, crafting careful temporary pacts and deals to help himself with before he moves onto his next victim. However, he has willingly bound himself to Melloria, serving the Matron for her lifetime, and he has promised to protect and bind himself to all future rulers related to herself and Jasper. Surprisingly enough, Josmael would rather keep it that way. He knows a powerful wolf when he sees one. Yet, he still dabbles in the occasional deal with outsiders when he isn't acting as Melloria's eyes and ears over the lands. Currently a Companion to Melloria.
Abelas (Ah-beh-lahs)	Abelas, whose name means "Sorrow", is a Lunar Crow and just as old as Josmael is speculated to be. However, he is far quieter than that Raven and really only speaks with Jasper who he's currently bound to and Melloria who he was previously bound with before he found the King. He has promised, just like Josmael, to seek out wolves to pair up with all future rulers related to Melloria and Jasper and happily preforms any task for either of them as well. Currently a Companion to Jasper.
Percival The Sentinel	When Percival was born, he was already quite a strong and powerful wolf despite his blindness! He trained often alongside Melloria and Josmael only to be granted the title of The Sentinel as soon as he reached 1 year old. The idea of this important role being passed on to one of the younger wolves in the pack and a blind one at that made quite a few other members bitter or jealous that they were never given the chance to prove themselves for the role. However, this bold and confident youngster is tasked with keeping unwelcome outsiders from roaming the Barren Hollows while occasionally joining Melloria in discussing Alliance terms with other packs. That way Percy is kept aware who is allowed to pass through and who is not.
Erebos	Erebos is a young lone wolf that roams the Northern Expanse. He also has a penchant for lounging about near the borders of the Barren Hollows but he has yet to be fully chased off by Melloria. It actually seems like the she-wolf may have a bit of a soft spot for this charming loner but the two are quick to deny anything of the sort. Will he continue to hang around or will he eventually pay the price for tempting fate too often? Only time will tell.
Venirsala The Raven Keeper	Venirsala, better known as The Raven Keeper, is an eccentric young she-wolf that just appeared one day under the cover of the mountain range that lines the eastern side of the Northern Expanse. She usually keeps to herself and doesn't bother the local packs too much although they eagerly give her a wide berth when they do spot her that is. Although, many can tell that there is more to her than what meets the eye and some are starting to get a little too curious for their own good.
Code & Lore by #86206

• King & Queen: The rulers and leading pair of the pack that calls the Barren Hollows their home.
• Sentinel: The Guardian of the Barren Hollows. They're tasked with watching both the mountain paths and the outskirts of the Barren Hollows to ensure no outsiders are sneaking in. They are also responsible for protecting the bloodline ruler on occasion as well and this role is typically taken by especially powerful wolves. One that is hand picked by the bloodline ruler when one is needed.
  • Note: Outsiders may never take this position. Only wolves of the Mellori bloodline will ever have a chance at holding this role and it typically goes to the rare wolves that possess unique and exceptional magic. Like wolves born with the blindness mutation or wolves born under the light of a full moon.

• Scouts: Two wolves may hold this role at any given time and aid the Sentinel in keeping the Barren Hollows safe.
• Guards: A variant of the Hunter role. A hunter with high strength may choose to opt into this rank and work under the Sentinel when they're not actively hunting. They will be called to the Sentinel's side when guarding the territory to ensure outsiders are chased off and they're not afraid to kill those that refuse to run.
• Trackers: A variant of the Scout role. A personal choice that particular Scout chooses to opt into. Instead of patrolling and keeping the land secure with the Sentinel, they instead choose to track various targets and packs for the ruling pair.
• Hunters: This is the standard rank that wolves typically get placed in to. They're responsible for hunting and providing food for the pack. If they continuously preform poorly, they may be chased off.
• Shaman/Healer/Herbalist: The title of this role changes depending on the wolf in this position. They provide healing remedies to the pack's various members and they are responsible for keeping everyone healthy at all times. However, they hold no real power within the pack's leadership and is typically forced to remain that way.
• Pupsitters: Any number of wolves may hold this rank yet it is typically discouraged. These wolves are responsible for protecting the pups the ruling pair wishes to keep and force pups the pair doesn't like away from the den.

• Apprentices: The adolescent youngsters are assigned this role as soon as they're 6 months old. They may choose what role they wish to be an apprentice of so long as a wolf is available to mentor them and they will be given that role once they're 1 year old.
• Pups: They are the youngest within the pack. Usually, they're the offspring of the ruling pair but sometimes a subordinate wolf is allowed to take a mate so long as the ruling pair approves of it first.

Melloria was sat in front of the great oak tree that marked the heart of the Barren Hollows and before her stood two ravens. One was Josmael, her companion, and the other was a nameless raven that roamed her lands, not yet bound to any wolf.

"I've almost finished setting and lining our territory with alarm runes. So, tell me young raven, what have you seen outside our lands?" Melloria asks this nameless raven who quickly responds, squawking and croaking away as it tells some story that only Melloria seems to understand. "A human structure and two large packs..." Melloria quietly repeats to herself as she listens and the raven only squawks as if to confirm what she said. "Next time, do not get close to the human den. We cannot risk them capturing you, young one. But continue to observe the lands to the east for me and report to Josmael if you find anything worrying if you cannot find me at the time. He will relay the message to me afterwards." The Matron states, making a quick and decisive decision and the raven bows briefly before flying off.

She now glances over to her Lunar Raven. "Josmael, fetch Jasper for me if you would." Josmael caws at Melloria before flying off to fetch her mate.

...

The she-wolf quietly waits at the base of the oak tree for a short while before she's greeted with the sight of Jasper trotting over with Abelas, his Lunar Crow, and Josmael overhead. "Good morning, love. Josmael was squawking in a way that he uses to tell me there's a meeting I need to get to. So, what did you need?" He asks as he approaches, sitting beside his mate with a happy smile. Melloria returns the smile in kind. "I needed to check in with you and ensure you trust yourself to guard the lands if I'm to leave for a couple of days soon. I may be speaking with a pack to the east of the mountains within the coming days so it will be up to you and Abelas," She pauses to glance at the Lunar Crow. "To guard the Barren Hollows while I'm gone. Although, I may send Josmael back to you briefly if there is a threat breaking past our borders."

Jasper nodded and gave Melloria an understanding look as he listened. "Well, I'm not too fond of the idea of you being gone for a few days," He pauses to nudge her with his snout. "But I'm sure Abelas and myself will manage just fine. So long as you aren't gone for an extended amount of time then a few days will be manageable. But, I'm not the best of keeping those runes of yours in tip-top shape like you are." Melloria chuckles at that. "It should only be a few days unless something else comes up and I need to take care of it while I'm out. Also, you shouldn't need to tend to the runes in my absence. They should be fine without maintenance for a week at most unless we have more unwelcome visitors while I'm gone. Otherwise they will loose charges trying to protect our lands and will need to be recharged then."

The king nodded again before moving to rest his head on top of Melloria's. "Then we shall manage for that time. And make sure to send Josmael ahead of you when you're on your way back please. I would like to know when you're almost back after all, I'll miss you." He said softly, looking a little upset at the idea of her leaving for a few days or even more if something pops up and Melloria gave him a reassuring look. "I will, don't worry. Just... Make sure Branwen doesn't get into too much trouble while I'm gone. I've heard from his raven, Ivar, that he's taken a liking to watching the mountain paths lately." She says, trying to change the subject to something a bit more lighthearted now as she cracks a goofy yet knowing smile.

Jasper snorts and chuckles a little. "I told him he should stop before you find out. I suppose he didn't listen but I'll continue to keep an eye on him and hopefully help the lad avoid anymore Outsiders." He says with a small smile. Melloria rests her head against Jasper's neck for a few moments before moving to stand. "I'm in your debt, Jasper. Be safe. I'll remain in the territory for a few more days before I must head out. I have a few more runes to place and check on after all." Jasper gives her another smile and a lick on the cheek before letting the she-wolf go about her daily tasks.

These coming weeks were certainly going to be a busy time for all of them.

When Melloria returned from her brief travels, she and Josmael had been called over to the den and she was pleasantly surprised to see her newest litter of pups starting to venture beyond the interior of it. However, the she-wolf's brows furrowed slightly at the sight of the silver and black pup she had named Percival. His once brilliant moonshine eyes had begun to grow cloudy while she had been away and Melloria wasn't expecting this development. She glanced over to Jasper with a worried expression and he moved closer to reassure her. "It'll be alright, love. I remember the stories you'd tell me about how much stronger blind wolves are but we'll be okay. Percival will turn out just fine, I'm certain." He said quietly in a soothing tone to his mate.

Melloria sat down beside him, resting her head on his shoulder. "I just never expected we would have a pup like this, Jasper." She mumbled in reply before looking over to her lunar raven companion who had perched himself on top of the den at the mouth of its opening. The pups nervously sniffed at the raven before darting past to get outside and greet their parents. "Josmael?" Melloria called and the raven gave a brief squawk as he looked to her. "Would you do me a favor and keep an eye on Percival for us? Keep him out of trouble and ensure his siblings don't pick on him." Josmael deflates a little, not looking thrilled to be assigned pup sitting duties but he understood as he looked over at the pup. Percival was already quite large compared to the rest of his littermates but, the raven could also feel waves raw and untapped magical potential rolling off this little pup. He gave another squawk to Melloria, agreeing, before hopping towards the pup and keeping an eye on both him and his littermates.

The she-wolf perked up a little, more relieved that someone would be watching over her pups when she could not always be here. She would certainly spend most of her time here at the den but she still needed to patrol her lands after all. The pack was still without a Sentinel but her thoughts drifted as she watched little Percival once more. Percival was busy playing with his brother, Harlow, at the moment. But, she had the thought that perhaps Percy would shape up to be a fine Sentinel when he's older and Melloria looked over to her mate with a hopeful look at that thought. Jasper was quick to return her smile with a warmth and reassurance to it as he sat beside her, watching over their young ones.

It might not have been the easiest news to learn of but there was still hope in these two wolves that everything would go swimmingly.

Inside the small den, two young pups were beginning to stir and play inside as their parents slept in a bit. It was the earliest hour of dawn but eventually one little pup named Harlow stuck his head out of the den. "Hey!" He loudly whispered trying to get someone's attention outside the den. "Caspian! You out there?" Not a second after he asked that Caspian poked his head into the mouth of the cave. "Yeah, what's up?" He asked with a happy grin. "I need you to distract mom and dad so Percy and I can sneak out to our hideout." Harlow whispered with a playful grin himself. Yet, Caspian's expression started to frown a little. "They don't let me go inside the den though."

"We'll be quick, I promise Caspian."

"Fiiiine." He was quick to give in to his brother's pestering and scooped a bug off the floor before heading inside, pushing past the other pup. Percival was still inside although after he smelled Caspain he was quick to join Harlow at the mouth of the den. Their mother, Melloria was just beginning to wake up only to see a muddied, grey and red colored pup in front of her face with a new bug in his jaws. "Caspian, is everything alright?" She asked with a yawn. "Better than alright! Look at this bug I found! It's much nicer than the spider I found last week don't you think? He can even--" Caspian cut himself off as he dropped the bug so he could talk better but also show her what it did. At the slightest touch the bug curled into a ball. "He can even turn into a ball! Isn't that cool?" He yipped excitedly. "Very interesting. I don't believe I've seen a bug like that before here. Wonderful find, Caspian." Melloria said with a warm smile before giving the pup a lick on top of his head. "Why don't you head back out and find some more like it? You're really helping me out with keeping track of the forest's progress." Caspian was overjoyed at that and scrambled out of the den.

...

Meanwhile, as that little conversation was going on, Harlow had silently ran out of the den with Percival not far behind. "C'mon Percy! Caspian can't stall forever!" He loudly whispered over his shoulder to his silver coated brother as he ran. Percy just frowned more at that. "I'd be able to keep up if you'd just slow down! You can see while I can't!" He loudly whispered back. The rest of the jog to their hideaway was silent save for the occasional yelp when Percival would trip over something.

Eventually, Harlow slowed down and came to a stop once they finally reached their destination. It was a smaller clearing with a pile of rocks that the pups enjoyed playing on during the day. "Even better without Josmael here." Harlow said with a grin as his brother stomped into the place. However, his bad mood didn't last forever as Harlow and Percy resumed their play from earlier. They continued to play for at least 10 minutes until the little blind pup stopped playing abruptly. "What's up, Percy?" Harlow said with a goofy look as he laid down beside his brother. Percival just looked confused. "Did you hear that?" The other youngster paused and listened to the area around them. "No, I don't hear anything."

Percival didn't say anything else, straining his ears as he laid there. But, it wasn't long until he heard another whisper. Another passing... thought? From Harlow. "Wait. Wait. What's your favorite food?" He asked randomly. Harlow thought for a second before blurting out "Bison." and Percy stared at the ground, shocked when he could both hear Harlow say it out loud and... think it? Was it thoughts he was hearing? "Don't say anything out loud this time. What's mom's name?" Harlow looked as if he was going to protest Percival's instructions but he didn't speak as he was instructed. ["Odd but okay. Her name's Melloria."] Percival repeated what Harlow had thought out loud and his brother just looked confused.

"How'd you do that?"

"I... I don't know. I never heard whatever that is before but I can! It's like I can hear your thoughts!"

"My... thoughts? ...That's awesome! Wait, wait so what am I thinking now?" Harlow went quiet as he frowned and thought hard about something random. ["Josmael stinks."] That warrented a laugh from Percival. "You thought Josmael stinks. And he does with him following us all the time." A chorus of laughs could be heard from the two. Although they froze when they heard the sound of a raven calling out in the quiet morning not a second after they said that. "Uh-oh." Both pups said before scrambling to look more innocent, both of them plastering big grins on their faces in hopes of helping themselves look like they hadn't been up to anything terrible.

A familiar blue raven would perch itself on a branch of a old pine tree, squawking at the pups below. "Oh come on! How do you always find us, Josmael?! You're no fun!" Harlow shouted up to the bird as Percy remained quiet beside him. His grin fading as he frowned, listening to the various thoughts he could hear. It was honestly helping him figure out where others were without his sight. As Harlow continued to argue with the squawking raven, Melloria was quick to appear with Caspain in tow. "Sneaking out again you two? I thought you had learned from last time when you almost made Caspain go tumbling into a river!" She said and she didn't sound happy with the trio. "Now you're making him cover for you? Percival! What happened to you promising to keep Harlow from doing this again?" Percy jumped a little when he heard his name. "I... I tried but he wouldn't stop." Harlow growled a little. "Not true! He wanted to come out here just as much as me!" Harlow argued before tackling his brother. The two tussled a little but Percy was surprisingly having an easier time now and Melloria seemed to watch with a surprised look. Percival was completely avoiding every attack from Harlow until he managed to twist himself out from the dark pup's grasp, standing up with a shake of his fur.

"Percival, how did you do that?" Melloria asked calmly, glancing up to her raven before refocusing on the little silver colored pup. "I don't know but whenever someone's thinking about something I can hear it." Percy admitted and Harlow only looked more angry now. "Cheating! Not fair!" He looked as if he was going to lunge again at Percival but Josmael was quick to intercept it, picking the angry pup up by the scruff of his neck. Melloria however looked puzzled, sharing a look with her raven once more. "Well, that's interesting. You've never mentioned that before, dear. But lets all get back to the den calmly. Without attacking your brothers Harlow." She said pointedly to the pup who was being placed carefully back on the ground. With that, the she-wolf led the pups back to their den.

Melloria's original surprise at how strong Percival felt compared to his siblings now made a lot more sense. Of course the youngster had an innate ability lying dormant within him. She was certainly going to have to sit down with him and Jasper to begin his personalized training now so she could hone this ability for his benefit. The she-wolf shared another look with Josmael who was perched on her shoulders as she walked and the bird instantly knew he was getting pulled into training the youngster in a few months.

Branwen and his raven companion, Ivar, had been wandering through the Barren Hollows after they finished helping with hunts for today despite the rain. "I can't believe mom's always spending time with that runt, Percival." He growled to himself as he walked. Ivar croaked in response and the young adult wolf growled more. "I'll show her though. I'd be a far better scout than him." Branwen continued to mutter.

However, the yearling's grumblings was interrupted as Ivar suddenly called out in alarm. The pair had only just made it to the base of the mountains a few minutes ago, had an outsider finally decide to brave the forest despite all the rumors? "Ivar, scout ahead for me." Branwen said, surprisingly sounding more serious now before his raven companion took off. He slowly followed after Ivar, listening intently before the raven called out. "Bring them to me, Ivar!" He shouted with a snarl to his words. The raven called back in response, confirming that he was doing so. The sounds of the bird's wings quickly flapping through the air could be heard as well as the occasional frustrated cry from the bird.

Branwen continued to lazily trot after his bird and its target. "I'd stop running if I were you! You're only making this more difficult!" He called out. This was certainly not what he was expecting his evening to go but he wasn't about to complain either, after all he got a new outsider to toy with before Melloria could send them away or allow them to rest for half a day before they go on their way. It took Ivar about a minute to trap them and the jet black wolf finally caught up. "You're lucky I didn't have him kill you, Outsider. So, tell me, what brings you to the Barren Hollows today?" He said out of habit, Branwen did love to hear the hasty stories and excuses Outsiders made to avoid getting in trouble as of late.

But, Branwen's confident smirk faltered when he saw what Ivar had cornered and was now pecking at to keep them from running. "Kima?" Branwen said, looking shocked to see the youngster. "So you lived after all? We all thought some coyote snatched you up yet," He glanced around briefly, scenting the air before returning his gaze to the young pup. "Here you are. Traveling with an outsider, for shame." He said, shaking his head a little as he made a 'tsk tsk' sound and slowly circled her. "You know how much mother detests Outsiders. She won't be pleased you brought one in here." He said before sitting down nearby. With a flick of his ear, Ivar hopped back to Branwen although he was still closely watching the little one.

What a night this was shaping up to be.

...

There is more to this story. You will be able to find the continuation of it under the title "Unwelcome Past" in Kima's biography. Thank you for reading though and I hope you all enjoyed this little collaborated story.

Melloria had spent the majority of yesterday away from her pack's rendezvous site, watching the borders and speaking with the various crows and ravens she had scouting in the more distant lands. However, when she returned to their site at dawn this morning she was greeted by Branwen's raven companion, Ivar. Just like the rest of the birds in service to her and her pack members, the raven reported in, squawking away and filling her in on Branwen's antics that had transpired the other day.

The she-wolf's eyes darkened as she heard just what Branwen had gotten up to. "Threatening an outsider and the pup we lost?" She growled. Ivar croaked, confirming it for her and Melloria only growled louder for a moment before stopping. "Fetch Branwen for me, if you would Ivar. Please." She said, her voice sounding surprisingly calm now. The raven looked a little unsettled but he took off to get his companion regardless. A few minutes passed and Branwen could be seen lazily trotting towards Melloria with Ivar flying close overhead. "Mother! You needed to speak with me?" He asked with a smirk on his lips although his expression was quick to fade when he noticed the dark look she had in her eyes.

Melloria kept up a stoic front, just as she always did when speaking with wolves and birds that she had business with. She was focused on working now and had little to no patience for Branwen currently. "Ivar informed me that you discovered an outsider in our territory yesterday." She started while staring down the yearling. The jet black wolf look smug for a second and looked as if he was going to say something before Melloria continued speaking. "I thought Jasper and I had made ourselves clear that you were no longer allowed to go near or observe the mountain paths for me? Or did that tidbit of information go in one ear and out the other, hm Branwen?" Melloria adds, speaking in a harsh tone as she glared at him. Branwen's expression fell before he started sputtering, his mind scrambling to come up with an excuse. "I was doing you a service, mother! You had been gone all day yesterday, tending to other things around the Hollows. If no one had noticed them, who knows what trouble they would have gotten up to!" He says quickly, adopting a nervous smile as he stood before the Matron and her lunar raven.

"Trouble?! If that was your job, you would have known that the herbalist you encountered is harmless and is allowed to pass through our lands unhindered. But, I can't imagine you knowing that. You are not a scout, Branwen. It is not your job to care or know so quit acting like one." She said, a hint of a low growl to her words. Branwen snarled in response. "I could be! I'd be a damn good one too if you weren't always insisting that I am much better suited for hunting. Did you forget that I was the one that found that traveler that almost fell down the coniferous mountain path? Had I not been there--" Branwen was cut off as Josmael suddenly took flight, lunging and swiping at his snout. The yearling yelped, stumbling back as Melloria stood up, looking down on him with a calm and stoic expression. "Yes, you were lucky enough to be the one to save that wolf's life that day. I will admit that much. But, you will get yourself killed if you continue to antagonize every outsider that passes through our lands." Melloria states, glaring down at him once more.

"Do not go near the mountain paths again, Branwen. Or I will remove you from our lands and strike your name from our family myself. I have no patience for overzealous fools." Melloria growled and with that she turned to return to the center of her family's rendezvous site, intent on catching up with the rest of her family.

As for Branwen, he was left to his own devices, licking at edges of the gash on his snout that Melloria's raven inflicted on him. The yearling was seething but he kept to the outskirts of his family's rendezvous site for the rest of the day, scowling at every wolf he spotted and moving away whenever someone would start walking towards himself.

At dawn, Melloria had called the pack together and announced some changes as well as stating what roles the new yearlings were receiving. Although, not everyone in the pack was pleased with her decisions and now that the Matron as well as her mate was away from the rendezvous site to handle their young pups, they had left the younger wolves to handle themselves.

Branwen, Viktor, and Varona were slowly trotting their way over to the younger yearlings with a look in their eyes that gave away their intentions. They certainly were not looking for conversation. "Harlow, Percival, a moment if you will?" Branwen asked calmly with a charming grin while Viktor and Varona circled around the group as they sat in the clearing. Harlow rolled his eyes a little before standing to look the jet black wolf in the eyes. "Looking for a 'chat' already, Branwen? I thought Melloria had talked enough sense into you after your little outburst during the meeting today." He growled and Branwen startled to snarl a little in response. "I just want one of you to relinquish your role to me. You get it, right? Who would want some very young wolves protecting their land after all? You have hardly any experience for this." Branwen scoffed as he stood there.

"And you do?" Percival spoke as he stood up now as well although he continued to be focused a bit more on listening to everything around him. He was trying to keep track of where the other two and more quiet wolves were. As for Caspian, he had stood up as well but he was trying to make himself look less threatening than the others. He honestly felt more like an innocent bystander getting caught up in the middle of a fight. But, Branwen's attention snapped to look at the young blind wolf. "I do! You've heard the stories of all the outsiders I've found lately slipping into the Barren Hollows, haven't you? Or did you just conveniently forget that part, Percy?" Branwen said with an arrogant tone to his voice and spit Percival's nickname a bit.

Percival flicked his ear in a dismissive manner as he stood there. "And since when did that qualify y--" He had taken a rather acusitory tone before Caspian cut him off. "Look, Branwen, we don't want any trouble. Just leave us be and we won't let mother know about this." He said hastily which earned him a bit of a glare from both Percy and Branwen.

"You don't want trouble? Viktor, you hear that?" The jet black yearling laughed a bit and his brother joined in as well, a chorus of laughter surrounded the group. Harlow growled a bit before approaching Branwen, "You just want my position, right?" He asked. "Exactly, that wasn't so hard now was--" Branwen never got to finish his response before the younger brown and black yearling lunged at him.

... [Mentions of blood in the scenes below.] ...

Branwen was knocked onto his back as Harlow snapped at his throat, only to get tackled off by Viktor's snarling form. Although, neither Branwen or Viktor got a moment's rest before Percival jumped into the fray, his fangs tearing at the back of Branwen once he had gotten up. The young subordinate yelped lunging for Percy who easily ducked out of the way only for Harlow to return.

Time slowed as Branwen moved to refocus on Harlow with a smirk. A raven could be heard calling out above them all and swooped down on Harlow, swiping at the right side of his face, forcing him to turn his head away from the claws instead of following through with his attack. The battle seemed to pause for a couple of moments as blood steadily dripped from the claw marks on Harlow's face. Percival could sense that his brother was now in a considerable amount of pain and was seething under the surface thanks to it. Caspian was pinned up against a tree thanks to Varona but he could see blood trickling from Viktor's face and he slipped free from her grasp, running once more to get Melloria.

Harlow gave a deep, sinister sounding laugh. "You just never learn, do you?" He growled before lunging once more at Branwen as Percy kept Viktor and Varona from intervening.

...

The fight continued for a few more minutes, everyone remaining blissfully unaware of who exactly was approaching with Caspian in tow now. "ENOUGH!" Melloria shouted her command, a black like ink flowing from her eyes as a dark mist started to billow out from her paws. She was fuming to see them all like this and it hurt her more to see just how injured a few of them were. "All of you are to separate this instance. I do not want to see this happening again." She snarled and the wolves slowly separated themselves. Branwen, Viktor and Varona grouped back up with Percival and Harlow limping to each other's side.

"Branwen, come with me. I've had enough of you instigating things as of late, you are assigned to pupsitting duties until further notice. Now." Melloria stated as she slowly calmed seeing that they were all obeying her for the time being. "As for the rest of you, get yourselves cleaned up. Caspian, go help Harlow and Percival please." She said with a kinder tone this time before flicking her tail, instructing silently for Branwen to follow her.

Once again, Melloria left the others to lick their wounds as she removed herself and the leader of the confrontation away. Oh, the trouble yearlings caused some days. She was debating if she should truly chase off Branwen like she had threatened to before but Melloria decided to wait on that for now until she spoke with Caspian to hear how bad his injuries had been. The rest of the trip back to the den was silent, Branwen knew there was no arguing for his point of view with Melloria and kept his head down instead.